This is what the press is saying about Bird's debut album,

The Insides:

"A flying start." Rip and Burn"It's a strong debut."

Gay Times "The Insides is an album you need in your record collection."

(Q)"...icy but also very, very warm." (Independent On Sunday)"Bird’s thoughtful, sophisticated, catchy and lusciously produced songs…"

(Daily Telegraph)“Sounding like Bjork crossed with Rickie Lee Jones, Price has come up trumps with a collection of lush aatmospheric tunes.” ****Express 10/12/04

“Sparkling debut album…bursting with original ideas…Watch his space.” The Sun 10/12/04

“Stands out from the other budding Katie Meluas by dint of her imaginatively constructed songs…One to watch.” ***The Mail 10/12/04

BIRD in the HA’ndelsbeurs in Ghent, Wednesday January 12th 2005.

It’s going smoothly for the London based singer-songwriter-celloplayer
Janie Price. She already knew the stages of the world through the youth
orchestra’s she was part of in her early days. But there were songs in her
and they had to get out. Under the pseudonym Bird the half English, half
Irish lady released in a short time two EP’s (one more later on), that sold
out in no time, the second even before she had the opportunity to hand over
copies to the press (see www.birdwebsite.net ) Her songs scored in the
homeland, in Spain…And in Iceland. That explains how she could muster no one
less than Eberg for the ten song CD The Insides (Ice Cream Records) She
restricted herself on the field of instrumentation, but toy instruments had
to be there, she told us that Wednesday January 12th. Indeed, as a kind of
New Year’s present the HA’ndelsbeurs in Ghent hosted a concert by Bird. No
ribbon around her, but she was there with her cello and a guitar player,
Michael Jarvis, an excellent sideman indeed. The young lady won over the
audience in the nick of time, an audience that was surprisingly big (after
this turkey month people are hungry for concerts again!) She had no trouble
whatsoever to convince them of her talent. In sacred silence people listened
to the songs that she presented in a charming way. The success of these
songs resides in part that they aren’t frail and powerless as so frequently
happens with young lady songwriters. The duo knows where the gas handle is
and they use it at the right moments. The cello isn’t a gimmick, but a fully
fledged instrument that she skilfully plays with bow or pizzicato, as a
percussion instrument…or that she leaves aside, if necessary. Opener Stalker
immediately shows it all. The lyrics are interesting: Stalker talks about
how she’s a stalker of…herself! Falling Like Stars brings something of a
X-mas atmosphere into the venue and the childish character of Machine
Ballerina is underlined by Chinese like sounds, while she plays the cello
while standing. But Behind Closed Eyes makes, with the adrenalin injection
half way through, the same powerful impression as the day before in De
Laatste Show on Flemish TV. She tells us that for years she’d been visiting
the Belgian coast with her parents during summer. She probably doesn’t know
why the location makes people laugh: it’s in fact Bredene (*) She looks
really sorry that she hasn’t mastered Flemish better but she’s determined to
learn. We are a lot more impressed by Landslide, that in a thoroughly
produced version adorns the CD that she excerpts time and again. Still she
almost doesn’t hesitate to fire a new song at us, the title of which isn’t
clear: ,,You are the second audience ever to hear this’’. One of the part
time jobs that gave her the chance to pursue the dream of becoming a full
time musician, was that of receptionist at a psychiatric institute. That
found its reflection in the strong and poetic Rewind. She closes shop with a
song that deals with…Gerri Halliwell! This rather mysterious Slowly Slowly
features the sentence ,,Shoot them down one by one’’, but rest assured (?),
it’s ,,only’’ about shooting down the little stars from the heavens.
Meanwhile Bird sings the stars from heaven with a voice that on CD reminds
that of Nelly Furtado, but that on stage possesses an expressive characterquite her own.

Not yet spring, but it’s a new year and a new sound (**), a
refreshing sound that we’re bound to hear more often in the near future.

Antoine Légat (Hansbeke, original Saturday January 15th 2005; this
translation one day later)

Playlist: Stalker; Shoes Should All Cost The Same (song of Michael Jarvis);
Falling Like Stars; Machine Ballerina; Behind Closed Eyes; Landslide; Love
Songs On The Radio; Keep Me Alive?; Rewind; We Care; Slowly Slowly.(*)

Bredene is notorious for its first naturist beach in Belgium. For some
idiot reason this has been for some time the talk of the town. WeBelgians
aren’t used to much, apparently…(**)

paraphrase on a Flemish proverb ,,a new spring, a new sound’’ with
obvious meaning.

BIRD - EARLY
EP Peview by MARK BA YROSS

Bird is one Janie Price, a veteran of the Young Offenders and Vanessa Mae, and a cellist and drummer who was headlining London venues like the Marquee at the age of only 15. Ten years on, and this is the result.

Bird´s first solo EP is a polished effort. Strings, electronic textures and warm guitars, along with Price´s melodic voice, result in a four-song collection that shows real talent. Standout track is probably RUNAWAY, where a truly innovative production job combines with a soaring chorus to superb effect.

With the exception of the electro-fuzz of PLACID SEAS, the other tracks do have a bit of an AOR singer-songwriter feel to them, but they nonetheless make for a captivating listen. On the strength of these four songs, I think we can expect to hear a lot more from Bird in the near future.

PHASE 9
NOV 2002

Bird - Early - Ep

Early is the deput EP from Janie Price aka Bird. She has an impressive musical background, having toured with Vanesa Mae as a session musican and being a proficient cellist, drummer and guitarist, not to mention songwriter. Early is a collection of perfect chill-out pop music - the sort of music you could put on your stereo, turn out all the lights and lie on your floor to. The cd contains 4 exellent tracks, the standout track being the unquestionably brilliant and infectious `runaway´. This is the way pop music should be made - with talent, integrity and style. Expect bird to be very big indeed.

miuzik rating :

MIUZIK
DEC 2002

Bird - Early EP (Ice Cream Records)

Lead member of bird, Janie Price has been playing musically from an early age. Apparently from playing a cello like a strangled cat in youth orchestras, to learning drums and breaking sticks in many London venues, Price has finally decided in 2002 to concentrate on solely her own project - and this is the resultant release.

N: It´s unfair to pitch Janie in with any of the current female singer/songwriters but I´m sure this is what will happen. The first point worth nothing is that this ep features four totally original songs -no mixes, no covers, something that in itself seems totally original today.

T: Actually I wasn´t going to compare bird to ANY of the current crop, my thinking being that Janie is more in the Joni Mitchell mould than that of Sheryl Crow et al. It´s a refreshingly laid back sound, beautifully observed instrumentation and a smooth voice to die for. Nominations for next year´s Marcury Music Orize anyone?

N: Fair comment, I´m glad you had the vision to see beyond the recent crop. Janie produces music that´s easy to accept and should certainly be nominated. A well timed album would certainly be of help.

T: The only problem with this review is that we haven´t said anything funny. Can I say the word "Pooh"?

N: You certainly can, but I would fear that readers, when scanning these pages would see this comment and associate It with the artist

T: Pooh. 9/10

ATOMIC DUSTER
DES 2002

Bird actually is a bird, you know. And she can play the drums. And the cello. Her name´s Janie Price, and she´s knocking on Hope Sandoval´s door with some happy pills and some singing lessons. "Early EP"s opening track "Stalker", is essentially Mazzy Star at the funfair, but the EP shows greater depth, with poppy choruses to really get your teeth into. She is, however, one of those young ladies that you really wished wouldn´t put an acoustic guitar on absolutely everything though. But still, she´s been on tour with Vanessa Mae, so what do I know?

BLEED MUSIC
DEC 2002

The Borderline, London - November, 2002

It´s a typically cold and wet November evening in London and the crowd in the Borderline is accordingly sparse. When Bird finally take to the stage for their supporting slot we are treated with a young woman who has the musical talent to match her attractiveness. After explaining at length the absence of her usual guitarist, vocalist Janie Price takes the helm at a cello and the threesome floats gently into their short set.

STALKER is a soft acoustic beauty with a plucket bassline and verse lyrics reminiscent of HANDBAGS AND GLADRAGS. Not only can Janie sing beautifully while holding the big resounding box between her legs, she also skilfully hammers away at a drum at the outset of another song. Not just a pretty face.

With only two acoustic guitarists behind her, a lot of musical oomph present on Bird´s debut EP
EARLY is lacking in performance. This is most noticeable with RUNAWAY, the quality of which is embedded in the clever sonic trickery backing the recorded version. The trio perform impressively nonethless in the short time they have. FAITHLESS is pleasing to ear, as is BEHIND CLOSED EYES, which eases the set into closure.

If Bird want to go places they´re going to have to develop some more material and add something extra to theyr live set-up. Janie has already enjoyed a world tour with Vanessa Mae and with the imminent December release of the EARLY EP her band should successfully build upon the talent, experience and burgeoning fanbase behind them.

PHASE 9
DEC 2002

Bird - Early EP
(Universal)

Welcome to the dreamy melancholytinted world of Bird. Where vulnerability is a virtue, insecuruty endearing and nothing is real. Twisted optimism prevails and gazing wistfully into clear blue skies provides a metaphysical escape from drowning in unrelenting loneliness and heart rendering misery. The Early EP is achingly beautiful and sumptuously surronds you in a sensual self-indulgent tenderness. Treading a bitter path of unrequited romanticism, Bird belongs to a shamelessly frail world where talents gets you to the top of the charts and Milk Inc are safely locked away. It´s just not fair is it? (7) DS

BADGER
5 DEC 2002

Bird
Early (Ice cream)

AS a debut, Bird can be rightly proud of Early. The band list The Police, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sheryl Crow and Suzanne Vega among their inspirations and the Early EP tantalises with promise and the band could follow in one, or all, of their footsteps. Of course there is still plenty of work to do before then - the vocals are sultry but strained, the music heartfelt but stilted. Yet, on a debut both are forgivable. What it does have, though, is an individual sound and plenty of passion.

BASINGSTOKE GAZETTE
18 NOV 2002

Bird - Early EP (Heavenly / Ice Cream Records)

From the cover you´d expect a cut-price version of the hip-hop hippychick style as pioneered by the likes of Nelly Furtado; but the opening track of this EP, `Stalker´happily surprises - being as it is, a gentle, almost oriental, lament on the back of a seductive beat. Second track `Runaway´does live up tp the cover, while the other two tracks consist of two quite dreary lovelorn tunes which don´t offend but equally don´t impress. There´s no doubting Janie Price´s talent as a vocalist and the fairly minimal production of the songs adds to their simle appeal, but Bird to need to work on their material a bit more. With the right songs, this lot could well be giving Ms Furtado a run for her money. As they are however, Bird are still a respectable act with a lead singer in the vein of a more populist Tanya Donnelly; they´re just too low-key to appeal to the broader audince they deserve.
Dicky (6)

SCRAPIE
DEC 2002

bird
Early EP

Similar to Vanessa Carlton and Norah Jones. bird rely on good old fashioned acoustic music to make an impact. The perfect vocals of bird, aka Janie Price, make an impressive debut ith this sublime track which embodies the instrumental, lyrical and vocal prowess of this new artist

BIRD in de HA’ndelsbeurs in Gent op woensdag 12 januari 2005.

Het gaat oerend hard voor Londense singer-songwriter-celliste Janie Price.
De podia kent ze al lang via de jeugdorkesten waarmee ze in haar jongere
jaren optrad. Maar er zaten songs in haar en die moesten eruit. Onder het
pseudo Bird bracht de half Engelse, half Ierse op korte tijd drie EP’s uit,
die als zoete broodjes uitverkochten, de tweede zelfs nog voor ze de pers
een exemplaar ter hand kon stellen (zie verder www.birdwebsite.net ) Haar
songs sloegen meteen aan in het thuisland, in Spanje…en in IJsland. Vandaar
dat ze niemand minder dan Eberg kon strikken voor de tien song cd The
Insides (Ice Cream Records) Ze legde zichzelf beperkingen op wat de
instrumentatie betreft, maar speelgoedinstrumenten moesten zeker de dienst
uitmaken, zei ze die woensdag 12 januari.

Bij wijze van nieuwjaarsgeschenk bood de Gentse HA’ndelsbeurs inderdaad Bird
aan, zonder strik, maar met cello en gitaar, die laatste bespeeld door
Michael Jarvis, een uitstekend begeleider. De jongedame deed er niet lang
over om het goed opgekomen publiek (er wordt na de kalkoenmaand weer
gehongerd naar concerten!) te overtuigen van haar talent. Er werd ademloos
geluisterd naar de songs die ze op charmante wijze aaneenpraatte. Het succes
van die songs heeft onder anderen te maken dat ze niet freel en krachteloos
zijn zoals dat wel vaker gebeurt bij dergelijke deernen. Het duo weet op de
juiste momenten de gashendel staan. De cello is geen gimmick, maar een
volwaardig instrument dat ze kundig bespeelt, gestreken of pizzicato, of als
percussie, of niet. Opener Stalker laat dat meteen zien. De teksten blijken
de moeite: Stalker stelt dat ze er één is…van zichzelf. Falling Like Stars
brengt iets van een kerstsfeer in huis en het kinderlijke van Machine
Ballerina onderstreept ze met Chinees aandoende klanken, terwijl ze
rechtstaande de cello bespeelt, maar Behind Closed Eyes maakt, halverwege
open bloeiend, de krachtige indruk die het nummer de avond tevoren in
De Laatste Show ook al naliet. Het blijkt dat ze jaren lang ’s zomers
met haar ouders naar Bredene trok. Waarom de mensen dan lachen is haar niet
duidelijk Ze uit als een oprecht spijtoptant de wens om Nederlands te leren,
want dat heeft ze eerder verzuimd. Wij zijn nogal getroffen door Landslide,
dat in een doorgeproduceerde versie ook de veelgeciteerde cd siert. Maar ze
aarzelt niet een nieuw nummer, titel onzeker, op ons af te sturen: ,,You are
the second audience ever to hear this’’. Eén van de losse jobs die haar
moesten toestaan het muzikantenbestaan te ambiëren, was dat van receptioniste
in een psychiatrische kliniek. Dat vindt zijn neerslag in het sterke Rewind.
Ze sluit met een song die handelt over…Gerri Halliwell! Dit wat
mysterieuze Slowly Slowly herbergt de zinsnede ,,Shoot them down one by one’’,
maar wees gerust (?), het gaat ,,slechts’’ over de sterretjes aan de hemel.
Bird zingt die er intussen bij bosjes af, met een stem die op cd doet denken aan
Nelly Furtado, maar live een heel eigen expressie heeft. Nog geen lente, maar een nieuw jaar en een nieuw geluid.Een verfrissend geluid dat we in de toekomst nog vaker gaan horen.

Antoine Légat (Hansbeke, za 15 01 05)

Playlist: Stalker; Shoes Should All Cost The Same (song van Michael Jarvis);
Falling Like Stars; Machine Ballerina; Behind Closed Eyes; Landslide; Love
Songs On The Radio; Keep Me Alive?; Rewind; We Care; Slowly Slowly.